RZA Adds Genghis Khan Biopic and No Man’s Land to his Directing Resume

I suspect this announcement is the result more of anticipation for rapper-turned-director RZA’s upcoming martial arts flick “The Man with the Iron Fists” more than anything. RZA seems to have a lot of buzz going for him these days, and that’s resulted in him being announced as the director on two new projects, one that sounds incredibly ambitious, and one that sounds more doable.

RZA’s two would-be follow-up pictures will include “Genghis Khan”, based on the script by “Conan’s” John Milius, who was thought to be directing it himself, but will now step aside for the young’un and will just produce. The film, not to be mistaken with another Genghis Khan biopic by Peter Boyle that’s also currently in development, will be “told from the point of view of Khan’s son and grandson.”

Khan, of course, is the Mongol ruler who united the Mongol tribes and nearly conquered all of Asia and Europe in the 13th century. Things are apparently moving fast on “Genghis Khan”, with RZA expected to head back to China to start shooting the film sometime next year.

Meanwhile, RZA’s also attached to direct “No Man’s Land”, described as a “Warriors”-esque movie set during a single night about “a man who steals a powerful criminal’s diamond that soon proves to be far more valuable than initially thought. With the help of a dancer, he attempts to stay alive and cash in on the jewel.”

Apparently “No Man’s Land” will come first, with “Genghis Khan” sometime next year. Which would mean he’ll have to start shooting “No Man’s Land” very soon. So, two movies set to shoot in the next two years? That sounds awfully ambitious, especially for a new director like RZA. Even pros who have been doing this for a while take 2-3 years to do one movie.

Like I said, all of this seems to stem from anticipation generated by “The Man with the Iron Fists”. If the film proves to be a hit, I see both films getting made, though perhaps not this fast. If not? Maybe one gets made. Or neither. Hollywood loves a winner. Not so much the other guy.